Tag Archive for: International Affairs

The UAW stands in solidarity with striking auto workers at the General Motors assembly plant in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Workers at the facility are protesting the company’s recent unjust layoffs and retaliatory firings, decisions that were made in the name of corporate greed.

Workers at the facility, who are represented by the Metalworkers Union of São José dos Campos, have conducted two strikes since last Friday. They are demanding the reinstatement of 50 workers laid off by GM last week. They are also demanding job security and the opening of the Voluntary Dismissal Program if layoffs are inevitable.

What’s been made evidently clear by these arbitrary decisions is that GM is attempting to union-bust and cut labor costs at a time when the company is raking in billions of dollars. GM amassed over $10 billion in profits in 2023 alone. The company looks poised to have an even stronger year in 2024.

“This type of behavior by General Motors is unnecessary and unconscionable,” said UAW Vice President Mike Booth. “There is absolutely no reason why this corporation should be cutting jobs that will so negatively affect the lives of its workers and the local community at a time of record profits. The UAW is committed to supporting these brave workers and the Metalworkers Union in any way we can.”

The GM São José dos Campos plant produces the Trailblazer and S10 models, as well as engines and transmissions. The automaker employs around 3,150 workers in the city.

This week, UAW International Affairs Director Kristyne Peter joined the IF Metall picket line at Tesla in Stockholm. Tesla, run by CEO and budding Bond villain Elon Musk, is refusing to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the mechanics at its Swedish repair shops.

The mechanics have been on strike against Tesla since October 27 and union representatives from around the world traveled to Sweden this week to support them. On Tuesday, the UAW’s Peter shared this message with the Swedish strikers:

I bring solidarity, and support, from the one million members and retirees of the United Auto Workers.

You inspire all of us with your fight against corporate greed and the billionaire class. The billionaire class that wants to tear down the social democracy that Swedish workers have built.

You are holding the line against Elon Musk – the billionaire who represents everything that is wrong with the global economy. He busts union. He hoards wealth. And more and more, he sides with the reactionary forces that want to end democracy around the world.

Together, we will stop him.

Your fight here at Tesla shows that solidarity is stronger than the world’s richest man.

And last year, in our Stand Up Strike against America’s automakers, UAW members showed solidarity is stronger than any company.

When workers stand up together, we win our fair share of the wealth we create. And by standing together here today, we will win this fight against Elon Musk and Tesla.